Other World Computing today began shipping its 160GB 5400RPM 8MB Buffer Internal Hard Drive Upgrades for the Apple Mac mini, MacBook and MacBook Pro, offering 33% more capacity than the largest factory installed options (up to 120GB) currently available. OWC began stocking the latest, fastest 160GB SATA upgrade options at the top of the week, but elected to hold its official release announcement until enough stock was on hand to meet the anticipated high demand for this new high-performance, high-capacity HD upgrade. The new 2.5" 160GB SATA hard drives are priced at $279.

The PATA is 195$ USD = 220.72$CAD. I paid about 100$CAD for my last 3.5"/7200RPM 250GB drive. So even if one adds a NewerTech empty enclosure (about 100$CAD), you end up paying about 20$CAD less for a faster drive and almost 100GB more storage. Of course it doesn't fit in the mini, but the Mac mini is so small to begin with, even adding a NewerTech enclosure doesn't make it square, height-wise. You also get more USB and FireWire ports in the process.

More speed, more storage, USB+FireWire hub for 20$CAD less in exchange for having my Mac mini 1.75 inches higher on my desk? I'll take it, especially since I don't have to open my Mac mini to do it!

Last edited by Yvan256 on Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:52 am; edited 2 times in total

Seagate has the 2.5" 160GB Momentus 7200.2 7200rpm drive coming out in early 2007. I'm sure Hitachi will have one around the same time or shortly thereafter.

Nice! Thanks you just saved me from buying one of these for the macbook I'm getting soon. I'll just limp along on 60gb until early next year. Now my external drive is gonna start seeing some serious use.